Headingley Methodist Church

WW1 Memorial

Designed by Thompson the Mouseman (click to enlarge)
(click to enlarge)

1914 - 1918 
They Gave Their Lives For Us

Frank O Baines
George L Bruce
Wm Campbell
Alfred Gudgeon
Arthur Mitchell
Roland Mitchell
Arthur George Rigby
Norman Savage
John Singleton
Herbert W Sunderland
Mark S Watson
Arthur Wheelhouse
J Sydney Whitehead

In Grateful Memory

 

Frank Oliver Baines (1899 -1918)

In the 1901 census Frank aged 2 was living at 9 Chapel Terrace, Headingley with his father William (34) a tin plate worker, mother, Florence (30) and his sister Elsie aged 5.

By the 1911 census twelve year old Frank was a school boy his father was now described as a tin plate worker gas meter maker. Doris (7), Alice (4) and Samuel Baines, Frank’s grandfather, were also on the census return. The family were then living at 11 Chapel Place, Headingley. Frank enlisted in the 6th Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and later the 16th entrenching Battalion (which was made up of half the disbanded 6th battalion.)

He was killed in action on March 31st 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 59 of the Memorial at Pozieres on the Somme.

George Leighton Bruce (1897 -1916)

In the 1901 census, George, aged 4, was living at 17 Trelawn Avenue with his father, also George (36) a printer compositor, mother, Ethel (28) and his sister, Dorothy, aged 1. By 1911 the family had moved to 11 Wilton Grove and George, aged 14, was an office boy for an iron manufacturer.

He enlisted in Leeds as a gunner Service Number 2713 in the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery and was killed in action July 16th 1916. His grave is in Bouzincourt Communal Cemetery Extension on the Somme. The following is recorded in the Commonwealth War Graves Register.

William Archibald Campbell (1897-1917)

In the 1901 census, William Archibald aged 3 was living at 15 West Cliff Terrace Harrogate with father Duncan (46) a wholesale clothing manufacturer, mother Jeannie Fenton (37) and sisters Jeanie McComick (11), Margaret (8), Charlotte (6) and Irene (1). By 1911 the family had moved to 38 Cardigan Road. William was at Leeds Grammar School, aged 13. His father, now a widower, is described as a ready-made clothing manufacturer, Jeanie (21) Margaret (18), Irene (10) have been joined by Alexander (8) and May (6). Charlotte is not listed.

He was educated at the Leeds Grammar School, and joined the Leeds Rifles as a private in September 2014. He subsequently received a commission in the same regiment, and went to the Front in November 1915, returning home in May 1917 to join the Royal Flying Corps (10th Squadron).

Lieutenant Campbell died of wounds on 21st September 1917, aged 20. He is buried in Chocques Military Cemetery. 

Alfred Gudgeon (1879 -1915)

Alfred was born in Chapel Place but in 1901 Alfred, aged 22, was living at 3 Trelawn Place with his father William (62), mother Martha (61) and his sister Millie (24). His father is described as a greengrocer as are Alfred and Millie. The Headingley Directory and Almanac 1905/6 lists Gudgeon W., Greengrocer, 8 North Lane.

Alfred married Caroline Burnett in 1902 in Leeds. By the 1911 census they had 2 children Edna (4) and Stanley (3) and were living at 1 Chapel Terrace. Alfred is described as a fish salesman.

Rifleman 2367 Alfred Gudgeon enlisted in the 1st/8th West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own). He was killed in action on August 7th 1915 and is commemorated at Ypres on the Menin Gate panel 21.

Roland Mitchell (1895 -1918) M.M.

In the 1901 census Roland aged 6 was living at 27 Monkbridge Street, Meanwood with his father Walter (32) an electric car driver, mother Ellen (31) and his brothers Charles (3) and Arthur (1). By 1911 they had moved to 27 Highbury Road. Roland was now a tailor’s spinner, Charles a dyers errand boy and Arthur aged 11 a chemist night boy (presumably he was still at school) and 3 further children had been born:- Florence (9) Walter (4) and Samuel (2).

Roland enlisted in Leeds and was a Lance Corporal service number 263113 in the 2nd/4th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry when he died of wounds on 27th September 1918. He is buried at Grevillers British Cemetery Pas De Calais. Roland was awarded the Military Medal (the other ranks’ equivalent of the Military Cross) “for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire”.

Arthur Richard Mitchell (1899 -1918)

Roland Mitchell’s brother, Private A R Mitchell 62094 2nd Bt. King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, was killed in action 28th August 1918 (soldiers died in the Great War 1914-1918). His grave is at Assevillers New British Cemetery.

Arthur George Rigby (1893 -1917) M.C.

Arthur George Rigby was born in Ceylon where his father was a Wesleyan Missionary. In the 1911 census he was a pupil at Leeds Grammar School and was living at 8 Richmond Road as the ward of Miss Sara Gregory. 4 other boys are also listed as her wards. The Leeds Grammar School magazine recounts that he was head of the School during his last two years and during that time he entered into all parts of school life “with an extraordinary zeal and conscientiousness”. He was a member of the newly formed O.T.C. and was the first Colour Sergeant. In 1911 he gained an Open Classical Scholarship at Trinity College, Oxford and obtained a First-class in Moderation in 1914.

At the outbreak of war he immediately applied for a commission in the West Yorkshire Regiment (Leeds Rifles) and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant 240369 on August 29th 1914 (London Gazette August 28th). He went out to France in 1915. The magazine relates that “while acting as platoon commander his natural inquisitiveness led to many excursions into No Man’s Land and after a time he became Intelligence Officer to the Brigade and to the Division. He was mentioned in Dispatches December 31st 1915 “for gallant and distinguished service in the field.”

He was killed in action on October 12th 1917 and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot memorial. He was awarded a posthumous Military Cross for “gallantry during active operations against the enemy (London Gazette 28/12/17).

The school magazine said of him “Few boys in the School during the last fifteen years have shown such brilliant promise. He had a mind eager for knowledge, which wanted to probe every subject. He had intended to become a Missionary himself and all though the war he never lost his keen interest in the pursuit of truth. In the fly-leaf of his Greek Testament he had copied the words of the Sixth Form Prayer, ‘Teach us to seek after truth and enable us to gain it.’ He had a fierce belief in the sacredness of the cause for which he laid down his life.”

Norman Savage (1878 -1918)

In the 1901 census, Norman aged 22 was living as a boarder at Fountain Street, Caistor where his occupation is described as a butcher. He married Mary Jane Welch at Swinhope, Lincolnshire in 1904. On the 1911 census, they were living at 92 Royal Park Road with Frederick (5), Millicent Ann (4) and Sam George (1). Norman describes his occupation as retail milk trade with Mary assisting in the business.

When he enlisted as a gunner in The Royal Garrison Artillery in January 1916 he was living at 15 Ash View and was described as a dairyman and butcher. By now Louis Savage, born 1912, and Hilda Savage, born 1915, had joined the family – names which are very familiar to members of Headingley Methodist Church. He described his religion as Wesleyan.

Gunner Norman Savage, service No. 94146, was mobilised and posted in June 1916 to No. 4 depot Royal Garrison Artillery based in Ripon. He embarked from Folkestone to Boulogne in June 1917 where he joined the 19th Siege Battery BRGA. He had 14 days home leave in February 1918 and was killed in action on October 30th 1918 aged 38. He was buried at le Cateau Military Cemetery, near Cambrai.

Mary was granted a pension of 27 shillings and 4 pence a week. Norman’s personal effects were returned to her in May 1919.

John Singleton (1888 -1918)

In 1901, John, aged 13, was living at 40 Cardigan Road (at some point after 1901 William Campbell’s family moved to live next door at 38).  John’s father Wilson (45) is described as a dyer, also living at the house are mother Mary (47), and two sisters Sarah J (19) and Anne (18). John Singleton’s mother now a widow was still living in Cardigan Road at Roubaix Villa with an unmarried daughter Sarah Jane in 1911.

John was educated at Leeds Modern School between 1898 and 1901. He became a student – apprentice with the Middlesbrough Power Co. He then worked for Messrs. Greenwood and Batley’s Electrical Department, Leeds.

He may have travelled from Liverpool to Halifax, Canada on the Victorian in April 1910. He was employed by the Imperial Coil and Cable Co. Then he “was offered and accepted an important position as head of the repair department of the Appalachian Power Co, U.S.A.” (Leeds Modern School “Memorial”). He returned to Canada as Mains Inspector for the Prince Albert Power Co., Saskatchewan and in 1915 he enlisted in the McGill University Company of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, training at Montreal and Shorncliffe.

He transferred to an artillery training course at Woolwich and was then appointed Armament Staff Sergeant 476023 with the Canadian Ordnance Corps, attached to the Canadian Field Artillery. He went to France in October 1917 and was killed on 2nd September 1918. He is buried at Dury Crucifix Cemetery, where the register records him as “the only son of the late Wilson and Mary Singleton of Leeds, England.” On another surviving document his next of kin is given as Miss A Singleton, 20 Cardigan Road.

Herbert W Sunderland (1885 -1916)

In 1901, Herbert William aged 16 and a building society clerk was living at 14 Hyde Park Terrace with his father William (49) a solicitor’s clerk, his mother Mary (49) sister Emma (23) and brothers John Wilmot (20) stock broker’s clerk and Ernest Arthur (14) schoolboy.

In the 1911 census, the family was still living at 14 Hyde Park Terrace. William, now 59, is a solicitor’s managing clerk. John Wilmot (30) is a stockbroker’s cashier, Herbert William (26) is a building society clerk and Ernest Arthur (24) an insurance clerk. Emma (33) is also still at home.

Herbert William enlisted in the 15th battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own) as a Private, Regt. number 15/864 He was killed in action in the battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916 and is buried in Serre Road Cemetery No 1. Serre Road cemetery is in the village of Serre, 11 kilometres from the town of Albert.

Mark Sanderson Watson (1895-1917)

Obituary from The Hillhead High School War Memorial Volume

“Mark Watson, eldest son of the Reverend Richard Watson, Headingley, Leeds and formerly minister of St John’s Wesleyan Church Sauchiehall street Glasgow, was a pupil at Hillhead High School from 1906 until 1911. There he is still remembered for his radiant personality, his high gifts and glowing promise of his future. After a year at the Morgan Academy Dundee, where he gained many distinctions including a Ferguson Bursary and the Gold Medal for English, he returned to Glasgow for his university course. He graduated with an M.A. in June 1915 and was accepted shortly after as a candidate for the Wesleyan Church.

But instead of entering the Theological hall he accepted a commission, and went out to fight what was to him both the cause of his country and a great ethical conflict. On his twenty first birthday, 15th May 1916, Mark Watson left home for Mesopotamia, where he was attached to the 1st Highland Light Infantry (HLI) On 11th January 1917, he fell while leading his men against the Turkish positions on the right bank of the Tigris near Kut. Notable testimonies to his character, gallantry and unselfishness have been received from his Lieutenant–Colonel, chaplain, brother officers and men of the regiment.

“Mark Watson was a man of outstanding vivid and lovable personality, possessed of a strength and resolution older than his years, together with the enthusiasm and gaiety of heart of a boy. One remembers him as an eager and hard working forward upon the football field (he gained his school cap in 1911); as a witty and arresting speaker in the Literary Society; as a student whose thinking was broad and original, and essentially honest and when need arose as a keen and efficient soldier. But many remember him above all as a friend; for no man could wish for a better friend than Mark Watson. He shared wholeheartedly in their life, bringing to each a nature full of sympathy and humour, strength of heart and a splendid purity that was far too sunny and unconscious ever to seem reproachful or aloof. It was natural to be at one’s best with him; it was natural to share joys with him, and to turn to him in difficulties.

This is the man we have lost, and the country has lost. But we know that the sacrifice was no useless one; we know too, that the qualities which made us love and honour him, and which are now taken from our knowing, are not lost. And beyond our sorrow we are proud that it has been given to us, if only for a brief space, to have him among us”.

2nd Lieutenant M ark Sanderson Watson is commemorated on Panel 35 of the Basra Memorialwhich because of the political situation in Iraq was moved to an area now in the middle of what was a major battlefield in the first Gulf War. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has produced a 2 volume Roll of Honour listing all those commemorated on this memorial.

Arthur Wheelhouse (1883 -1916)

In the 1901 census Arthur Wheelhouse, a house painter’s apprentice, aged 18, was living at 10 Cottage Roadwith his father Wilson (43) a painter, mother Helen (44) and sisters Nellie (20) Florence (15) a dressmaker’s apprentice, Jessie (10), brother Harry (17) also an apprentice painter and three younger brothers Morris (10), Myers (8) and Ralph (4). In 1911, the family were still at 10 Cottage Road. Arthur was now a house painter as was Maurice (Morris?). Jessie was a typist, Wilson Myers a shorthand clerk and Ralph aged 14 still at school.

It is possible that Arthur married Esther Holt in 1913. A son, Arthur, was born in the same year and another son Clarence, in 1916.

Arthur joined the 1st/7th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own). He became a Sergeant, service number 731, and died on 28th August 1916.

Arthur is buried at Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuille (a village near the town of Albert on the Somme.) His headstone is inscribed with words chosen by his mother “He gave his life that we might live”.

 

J Sydney Whitehead (1896 -1916)

In the 1901 census, Sydney J, aged 4, is living at 48 Victoria Road with his father Harry (39) a printer, mother Emily (37) and sister Gertrude (13) and brothers Arthur (11) and Harry (1). The family are still at the same address in 1911 when Sydney (14) is described as an engineer printer and Arthur (21) a printer. The entry in the Leeds Modern School memorial reads “John Sydney Whitehead was the second son of Mr and Mrs H. Whitehead, of May Bank, Victoria Road, Headingley, his father being a partner in J. Whitehead and Son, Printers and Lithographers, of Alfred Street. On leaving school he entered the works of an engineering firm.

In September 1914, with his brother, Arthur, he joined the 15th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Leeds Pals), on its formation. After training, Private Whitehead 15/960 proceeded with the Battalion to Egypt, and returned with it to France. He was one of the many Leeds lads who were killed in the great attack on the German lines at the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916.”

Sydney was trained as a Platoon bomber. He was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme aged 20. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial panel 1. His brother, Arthur, was discharged on June 5th 1915 unfit for further service and survived the war. Approximately 750 out of 900 Pals involved in the Somme died.

 

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